HOOK and Newnham Basics enjoyed a double victory last weekend – in the Southern League Division Two and Twenty20 competitions.

On Saturday, they cruised to victory at Bournemouth II, winning by 98 runs, and then on Sunday beat visiting Burridge in the shorter format by eight wickets.

In front of a bumper crowd for the Twenty20 game, Burridge opted to bat, but thanks to some excellent bowling and fielding they were only able to make 151-9, spinner Kevin Poulter (3-31) among the wickets, Hook then knocked off the runs, reaching 155-2 with overs to spare as captain Ben Thane (52) led the way, supported by Matt Love (38) and Jordan Hobday (34).

Their reward for the victory is a home quarter final tie with division three outfit Portsmouth, which will be played on Sunday July 11.

On Saturday, Hook maintained their recent good league form at Bournemouth, where Thane decided to bat on a decent track which was going to crumble.

The skipper, currently in a great groove with the bat, continued that form with a superb 117, Richard Willcock (64) produced a great innings and Matt Love hit a quick-fire 20 at the end as the visitors finished on 272-7.

Jordan Hobday (3-27) then enjoyed an excellent opening spell, before spin twins Poulter and Anik Divecha really turned the screw with some tight bowling to stem a soaring run rate and the Dorset side were bowled out for 174.

Talking about the double victory, Thane said: “It was a superb weekend winning both games. Against Bournemouth it was great to see Richy (Willcock) get a good bat as so many times this season he has not been given any time to get a big score in his first season at this level.

“Bowling wise, Jordan (Hobday) was good with the new ball and then Kev Poulter and Anik (Divecha) really slowed the run rate down and it was just too much for them.”

On their Twenty20 success, Thane added: “We bowled and fielded superbly and they did not – and we were able to knock off the runs.”

This weekend, Hook will be keen to avenge an opening day defeat at Rowledge in the reverse fixture at the King George V Playing Fields in the battle of third against fourth.

The side will still be minus Neil Marsh for the encounter and Thane said: “Rowledge are a good team and we know we are in for a tough game, but we are looking to keep the winning run at home going.”